National intelligencer vol. 58 no. 8487

INTELLIGENCE FROM THE MORMON COUNTRY.
The last mail from Utah brought late numbers of the Deseret News, published weekly in Great Salt Lake City, from which we make some extracts, in-dicating, more or less accurately, the condition and tendency of affairs in that anomalous territory. It is evident from the tenor of the published addresses of BRIGHAM YOUNG himself, as well of other of the luminaries that periodically undertake to shed delu-sive light upon the pitiable dupes to his graceless pretensions and despotic designs, that the hand-cart emi-gration of last winter was a source of much anxiety to Young and his subalterns on account of the dreadful suf-ferings and great mortality which attended it. The ef-forts made to stifle reflection upon it and its dire con-comitants in the minds of the "Saints," give no insignifi-cant testimony to the horrors the poor emigrants were compelled to face. Thus Elder MILLER ATWOOD, who, as a missionary and agent of the Mormon priesthood, per-sonally superintended that part of the emigration which came from England, in a discourse in the "Tabernacle" at Salt Lake City, endeavors to weaken the impressions produced there by the sights and scenes of which its inhabitants were, to no small extent, eye-witnesses. He says :
"The gentiles prophesied as we came along that we should never see the valleys of the mountains, and laughed us to scorn, and ridiculed the idea of men and women traversing twelve hundred miles with hand-carts, and they marvelled to see the Saints travel on so cheerfully. I said to them, I defy you and your rulers, with all your gold, to gather up a set of men, women, and children that will travel with hand-carts ; you have not the influence to do that; but when brother Brigham speaks the word see how they go."
And, by way of depreciating the terrors of that twelve hundred miles of such travel, he says :
"We have not suffered a thousandth part as much as you think we have. Since I have arrived I have heard such tales of woe, though I do not know who could have told them to you. I know that brother Brigham and the honest in heart here have suffered more in their spirits than we have in our bodies. We did not suffer much ; we had a little bit of snow, but that was nothing ; and we had enough to eat as long as it lasted, and when that was gone you furnished us more ; we fared first rate."
But in a succeeding paragraph he delivers testimony going to neutralize the effect of what he said before, for he continues:
"Some that met us would gaze on us, and tears would run down their cheeks, while we were smiling, laugh-ing," &c.
BRIGHAM YOUNG himself found it necessary to come forward and pit the weight of his influence against the risings of humanity in the hearts of his own people, ex-cited by the circumstances of this emigration. In a ser-mon at the Tabernacle he begins us :
"You have heard concerning the sufferings of the people in the hand-cart trains ; and probably you will hear the Elders for some time to come, those who have lately returned from their missions and those now on the plains, speak about the scenes they have witnessed ; and I would like to forestall the erroneous impressions that many may otherwise imbibe on this subject."
Yet, with all his desire to break the force of these re-citals, he seems fated, like his brother, Atwood to defeat his own purpose, for in a subsequent sentence he says, and not without considerable graphic force :
"Some of those who have died in the hand-cart com-panies this season, I am told, would be singing, and before the tune was done would drop over and breathe their last; and others would die while eating, and with a piece of bread in their hands."
And then he goes on to avert the natural effect of so touching a statement by the fanatic and hypocritical remark:
"I should be pleased, when the time comes, if we could all depart this life as easily as did those our brethren and sisters. I repeat it will be a happy cir-cumstance, when death overtakes me, if I am privileged to die without a groan or struggle, while yet retaining a good appetite for food. I speak of these things to fore-stall indulgence in a misplaced sympathy."
But at this time it may be of greater interest to mark the indications of Mormon feeling and action in view of the strong dissatisfaction felt and disapprobation expressed by the press and people of the United States generally towards the social and political condition of the territory of Utah. One of the first things that strikes the eye in the numbers of the Deseret News before us are the notices of a military character. An act for organiz-ing the militia of Utah was approved by the Governor on the 15th of January, empowering the present acting Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion, aided by six or more commissioned officers of the line or staff, to be selected by him, to draft and adopt a system of laws and regulations for the militia of the Territory, and create and fill such offices as may be necessary for its organi-zation. The Lieutenant General Commanding (Daniel H. Wiles) consequently and promptly appointed the fol-lowing officers to aid him: Generals H. S. Eldredge, Jas. Ferguson, A. P. Rockwood, and G. D. Grant; Colonels H. B. Clawson and L. W. Hardy; Lieutenant Colonels, Wm. H. Kimball and William Hyde, and Major R. T. Burton. The services of the Territorial Attorney Gen-eral are solicited by the Lieutenant General Commanding. We find also a general order declaring that "Lt. John Tobin, of the Lancers, having opened a school in this city for instruction in various branches of cavalry man-œuvring, including the sabre drill, it is recommended by the Lieutenant General Commanding that the officers and men now enrolled or expecting to enroll themselves in that branch of the service embrace the opportunity thus offered to qualify themselves for duty. From Lt. Tobin's experience in the regular army of the United States and his excellent natural abilities he is well adapted to teach." Besides Lieut. Tobin, who is thus officially re-commended, there is an advertisement of D. J. Ross, colo-nel of the 1st Invincibles of the Nauvoo Legion, who announces that he "has opened schools for the benefit of his brethren, where he is prepared to teach infantry and cavalry drill in all its branches upon new and im-proved principles, (according to Cooper's system,) and wishes every honest heart to come and learn. The poor will be taught free."
Other indications are plentiful of the lively expecta-tion of impending troubles by the Mormon chiefs, and their "preparation of the hearts of the people for war." Brigham himself rather avoids the subject, but his tools and allies—Heber C. Kimball, Woodruff, and others—leave no room for doubt upon the subject. On the 21st of December Kimball is reported to have said :
"This people must come to a position where they will be tested, every one of them; and the day is just at our door, although many of you will not believe it, even when you are told so by brother Brigham and brother Heber ; and when Jedediah was alive you would not be-lieve it. You might have believed, ‘but,’ said some, ‘we cannot realize it.’ "They will go by and by, if they do not now; for the Lord our God will bring a test on this people, and if you do not feel it and acknowledge to me that it is something that surpasses any thing that we have ever passed through, then I am mistaken."
The same day Elder Wilford Woodruff talked in the same strain, and used his utmost efforts to arouse “the twelve apostles, the high priests, the seventies, the bishops, and the quorums” to a greatly-increased ardor and devotion, and exhibition of readiness to sustain the first Presidency in its purposes of resistance. He also warns his hearers of what is shortly to come, using such language as this:
“There are great things awaiting us and the world ; the Lord is withdrawing his spirit from the nations of the earth, his sword is bathed in heaven and will fall upon Idumea or the world ; the seals are about to be opened and the judgments of God poured out upon the wicked, for the cup of their wickedness and abomina-tions is filled to the brim, and the indignation of the Lord will be poured out without measure. Let the Saints read the revelations of God, and they will see that there are important events at our doors.
“Then let events roll on ; if we are only right, all is well. We have got to be tried even unto death. The Lord says he will prove us, and see if we abide in his covenants. There is where we have got to stand as a people. Not only our horses, and gold and silver, and land and houses, but our lives have got to lie on the al-tar, and when any thing comes to test us, even at the stake of our lives, we should be in the possession of the Holy Ghost not to flee from it, and such will be crowned with the gift of eternal lives, exaltation, and glory.”
The poetry addressed to the popular mind all runs in the same way. We quote a specimen or two. In the “Song for the Elders” are these two stanzas :
“We know that mobs have drove us,
But Brigham has declared,
If our religion we will live,
We never need be scared ;
Then treasure up his counsel ;
The Gospel we'll proclaim,
Mentally or physically,
To us it's all the same.
Then success, &c.
“Then let us study wisdom,
That we can always say
We're not remiss in duty,
We watch as well as pray ;
That we may all be ready,
As minute men on hand,
To roll the Mormon wheel and drive
Corruption from the land.
Then success, &c ”
Elder Parry sums up the preaching of' the leaders in the following doggerel but significant language :
“Let us adhere to counsel that we hear
From our prophet and seer ;
Yea, let's revere our President most dear,
And our God let us fear ;
A better man cannot be found,
Though we should search the world around ;
With Heber brave, his right hand man,
We'll possess the promised land.”
What is so much dreaded by Brigham Young and his confederates is, in one word, the substitution of some “gentile” for himself as Governor of Utah. This would be a fatal blow to his power and influence, and from pre-sent appearances rather than submit to be removed he will run the hazard of a struggle in arms.
We conclude with two quotations of a different and less serious character. The first is an outburst of elo-quence from the Utah astronomer and savan, W. W. Phelps, who, in speaking of the notable configuration of several of the planets on the 12th of February last, thus dilates :
“Whether it betokens the heavenly union among the Gods of eternity, the divinity of plurality among the Mormons, or an abundant harvest in Utah, is not re-vealed ; suffice it to say, the scene will be sublimely magnificent to such as believe in a plurality of worlds, a plurality of Gods, a plurality of understandings, a plurality of wives, and a plurality of eternities, for endless progression.”
Another Deseret muse thus enlarges on the duty of a good wife, and shows what is expected of such :
“Now, sisters, list to what I say :
With trials this world is rife,
You can't expect to miss them all,
Help husband get a wife !
Now, this advice I freely give,
If exalted you would be,
Remember that your husband must
Be blessed with more than thee.
Then, O, let us say,
God bless the wife that strives,
And aids her husband all she can
To obtain a dozen wives."

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INTELLIGENCE FROM THE MORMON COUNTRY.
The last mail from Utah brought late numbers of the Deseret News, published weekly in Great Salt Lake City, from which we make some extracts, in-dicating, more or less accurately, the condition and tendency of affairs in that anomalous territory. It is evident from the tenor of the published addresses of BRIGHAM YOUNG himself, as well of other of the luminaries that periodically undertake to shed delu-sive light upon the pitiable dupes to his graceless pretensions and despotic designs, that the hand-cart emi-gration of last winter was a source of much anxiety to Young and his subalterns on account of the dreadful suf-ferings and great mortality which attended it. The ef-forts made to stifle reflection upon it and its dire con-comitants in the minds of the "Saints," give no insignifi-cant testimony to the horrors the poor emigrants were compelled to face. Thus Elder MILLER ATWOOD, who, as a missionary and agent of the Mormon priesthood, per-sonally superintended that part of the emigration which came from England, in a discourse in the "Tabernacle" at Salt Lake City, endeavors to weaken the impressions produced there by the sights and scenes of which its inhabitants were, to no small extent, eye-witnesses. He says :
"The gentiles prophesied as we came along that we should never see the valleys of the mountains, and laughed us to scorn, and ridiculed the idea of men and women traversing twelve hundred miles with hand-carts, and they marvelled to see the Saints travel on so cheerfully. I said to them, I defy you and your rulers, with all your gold, to gather up a set of men, women, and children that will travel with hand-carts ; you have not the influence to do that; but when brother Brigham speaks the word see how they go."
And, by way of depreciating the terrors of that twelve hundred miles of such travel, he says :
"We have not suffered a thousandth part as much as you think we have. Since I have arrived I have heard such tales of woe, though I do not know who could have told them to you. I know that brother Brigham and the honest in heart here have suffered more in their spirits than we have in our bodies. We did not suffer much ; we had a little bit of snow, but that was nothing ; and we had enough to eat as long as it lasted, and when that was gone you furnished us more ; we fared first rate."
But in a succeeding paragraph he delivers testimony going to neutralize the effect of what he said before, for he continues:
"Some that met us would gaze on us, and tears would run down their cheeks, while we were smiling, laugh-ing," &c.
BRIGHAM YOUNG himself found it necessary to come forward and pit the weight of his influence against the risings of humanity in the hearts of his own people, ex-cited by the circumstances of this emigration. In a ser-mon at the Tabernacle he begins us :
"You have heard concerning the sufferings of the people in the hand-cart trains ; and probably you will hear the Elders for some time to come, those who have lately returned from their missions and those now on the plains, speak about the scenes they have witnessed ; and I would like to forestall the erroneous impressions that many may otherwise imbibe on this subject."
Yet, with all his desire to break the force of these re-citals, he seems fated, like his brother, Atwood to defeat his own purpose, for in a subsequent sentence he says, and not without considerable graphic force :
"Some of those who have died in the hand-cart com-panies this season, I am told, would be singing, and before the tune was done would drop over and breathe their last; and others would die while eating, and with a piece of bread in their hands."
And then he goes on to avert the natural effect of so touching a statement by the fanatic and hypocritical remark:
"I should be pleased, when the time comes, if we could all depart this life as easily as did those our brethren and sisters. I repeat it will be a happy cir-cumstance, when death overtakes me, if I am privileged to die without a groan or struggle, while yet retaining a good appetite for food. I speak of these things to fore-stall indulgence in a misplaced sympathy."
But at this time it may be of greater interest to mark the indications of Mormon feeling and action in view of the strong dissatisfaction felt and disapprobation expressed by the press and people of the United States generally towards the social and political condition of the territory of Utah. One of the first things that strikes the eye in the numbers of the Deseret News before us are the notices of a military character. An act for organiz-ing the militia of Utah was approved by the Governor on the 15th of January, empowering the present acting Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion, aided by six or more commissioned officers of the line or staff, to be selected by him, to draft and adopt a system of laws and regulations for the militia of the Territory, and create and fill such offices as may be necessary for its organi-zation. The Lieutenant General Commanding (Daniel H. Wiles) consequently and promptly appointed the fol-lowing officers to aid him: Generals H. S. Eldredge, Jas. Ferguson, A. P. Rockwood, and G. D. Grant; Colonels H. B. Clawson and L. W. Hardy; Lieutenant Colonels, Wm. H. Kimball and William Hyde, and Major R. T. Burton. The services of the Territorial Attorney Gen-eral are solicited by the Lieutenant General Commanding. We find also a general order declaring that "Lt. John Tobin, of the Lancers, having opened a school in this city for instruction in various branches of cavalry man-œuvring, including the sabre drill, it is recommended by the Lieutenant General Commanding that the officers and men now enrolled or expecting to enroll themselves in that branch of the service embrace the opportunity thus offered to qualify themselves for duty. From Lt. Tobin's experience in the regular army of the United States and his excellent natural abilities he is well adapted to teach." Besides Lieut. Tobin, who is thus officially re-commended, there is an advertisement of D. J. Ross, colo-nel of the 1st Invincibles of the Nauvoo Legion, who announces that he "has opened schools for the benefit of his brethren, where he is prepared to teach infantry and cavalry drill in all its branches upon new and im-proved principles, (according to Cooper's system,) and wishes every honest heart to come and learn. The poor will be taught free."
Other indications are plentiful of the lively expecta-tion of impending troubles by the Mormon chiefs, and their "preparation of the hearts of the people for war." Brigham himself rather avoids the subject, but his tools and allies—Heber C. Kimball, Woodruff, and others—leave no room for doubt upon the subject. On the 21st of December Kimball is reported to have said :
"This people must come to a position where they will be tested, every one of them; and the day is just at our door, although many of you will not believe it, even when you are told so by brother Brigham and brother Heber ; and when Jedediah was alive you would not be-lieve it. You might have believed, ‘but,’ said some, ‘we cannot realize it.’ "They will go by and by, if they do not now; for the Lord our God will bring a test on this people, and if you do not feel it and acknowledge to me that it is something that surpasses any thing that we have ever passed through, then I am mistaken."
The same day Elder Wilford Woodruff talked in the same strain, and used his utmost efforts to arouse “the twelve apostles, the high priests, the seventies, the bishops, and the quorums” to a greatly-increased ardor and devotion, and exhibition of readiness to sustain the first Presidency in its purposes of resistance. He also warns his hearers of what is shortly to come, using such language as this:
“There are great things awaiting us and the world ; the Lord is withdrawing his spirit from the nations of the earth, his sword is bathed in heaven and will fall upon Idumea or the world ; the seals are about to be opened and the judgments of God poured out upon the wicked, for the cup of their wickedness and abomina-tions is filled to the brim, and the indignation of the Lord will be poured out without measure. Let the Saints read the revelations of God, and they will see that there are important events at our doors.
“Then let events roll on ; if we are only right, all is well. We have got to be tried even unto death. The Lord says he will prove us, and see if we abide in his covenants. There is where we have got to stand as a people. Not only our horses, and gold and silver, and land and houses, but our lives have got to lie on the al-tar, and when any thing comes to test us, even at the stake of our lives, we should be in the possession of the Holy Ghost not to flee from it, and such will be crowned with the gift of eternal lives, exaltation, and glory.”
The poetry addressed to the popular mind all runs in the same way. We quote a specimen or two. In the “Song for the Elders” are these two stanzas :
“We know that mobs have drove us,
But Brigham has declared,
If our religion we will live,
We never need be scared ;
Then treasure up his counsel ;
The Gospel we'll proclaim,
Mentally or physically,
To us it's all the same.
Then success, &c.
“Then let us study wisdom,
That we can always say
We're not remiss in duty,
We watch as well as pray ;
That we may all be ready,
As minute men on hand,
To roll the Mormon wheel and drive
Corruption from the land.
Then success, &c ”
Elder Parry sums up the preaching of' the leaders in the following doggerel but significant language :
“Let us adhere to counsel that we hear
From our prophet and seer ;
Yea, let's revere our President most dear,
And our God let us fear ;
A better man cannot be found,
Though we should search the world around ;
With Heber brave, his right hand man,
We'll possess the promised land.”
What is so much dreaded by Brigham Young and his confederates is, in one word, the substitution of some “gentile” for himself as Governor of Utah. This would be a fatal blow to his power and influence, and from pre-sent appearances rather than submit to be removed he will run the hazard of a struggle in arms.
We conclude with two quotations of a different and less serious character. The first is an outburst of elo-quence from the Utah astronomer and savan, W. W. Phelps, who, in speaking of the notable configuration of several of the planets on the 12th of February last, thus dilates :
“Whether it betokens the heavenly union among the Gods of eternity, the divinity of plurality among the Mormons, or an abundant harvest in Utah, is not re-vealed ; suffice it to say, the scene will be sublimely magnificent to such as believe in a plurality of worlds, a plurality of Gods, a plurality of understandings, a plurality of wives, and a plurality of eternities, for endless progression.”
Another Deseret muse thus enlarges on the duty of a good wife, and shows what is expected of such :
“Now, sisters, list to what I say :
With trials this world is rife,
You can't expect to miss them all,
Help husband get a wife !
Now, this advice I freely give,
If exalted you would be,
Remember that your husband must
Be blessed with more than thee.
Then, O, let us say,
God bless the wife that strives,
And aids her husband all she can
To obtain a dozen wives."